Created in a Therapy Through Art class, "Sailing in Captain's Cove" is by Angel R. It's featured in an exhibit at Housatonic Museum of Art's Community Gallery that focuses on pieces made by residents of the Astoria Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Bridgeport.

Photo: Contributed Photo

Created in a Therapy Through Art class, "Sailing in Captain's Cove"...

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Created in a Therapy Through Art class, "Sedona, Az." is by Pink S. It's featured in an exhibit at Housatonic Museum of Art's Community Gallery that focuses on pieces made by residents of the Astoria Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Bridgeport.

Photo: Contributed Photo

Created in a Therapy Through Art class, "Sedona, Az." is by Pink S....

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Created in a Therapy Through Art class, "Spring Flowers" is by Charlotte B. It's featured in an exhibit at Housatonic Museum of Art's Community Gallery that focuses on pieces made by residents of the Astoria Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Bridgeport.

"It's amazing to see the positive changes -- emotionally and mentally -- that art can have on these residents," said Franco, who has a master's degree in arts education with a focus on art therapy and psychology.

In rehab facilities, it is not unusual to see residents "who are anxious, depressed and feel worthless," he said. "An amazing shift takes place when they get hooked on painting. The next thing you know, they're now able to (create and) give presents to friends and relatives. And then the friends and relatives encourage them to do more.

"When that happens, a real deep sense of purpose" often results, he added. "It's not just a sense of purpose for art, it's a sense of purpose in life that empowers them and builds their self-esteem."

Examples of their works are on display at Housatonic Museum of Art's Community Gallery in downtown Bridgeport. The Art Therapy Exhibition runs through Friday, Aug. 22. A public reception for the artists takes place Thursday, July 31, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

More Information

If You Go: Housatonic Museum of Art's Community Gallery is on the third floor in Beacon Hall at Housatonic Community College, 900 Lafayette Boulevard. It's Art Therapy Exhibition runs through Aug. 22. A public reception for the artists takes place Thursday, July 31, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Free. Beacon Hall is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. www.HousatonicMuseum.org; 203-332-5052.

"The museum has worked to expand beyond its walls by offering its support to artists working in the city, or in isolation or in nontraditional institutions and environments. We are hosting Astoria Park ... in an effort to ... provide a forum for all members of the arts community, which, in turn, improves the quality of life for everyone living and working in the city," Zella said in an email.

As director of the nonprofit City Lights Gallery, Suzanne Kachmar has been an advocate for offering arts-related workshops and classes for Bridgeport's less fortunate. As a therapeutic recreation director for 16 years some time ago, Kachmar said she had "witnessed the nurturing effects" of the arts.

"Through the art process, participants can express themselves in non-threatening ways and enjoy the sensory stimulation and respite that elements of art provide. And when working in a group, they learn from each other," Kachmar said, adding that often a "sense of satisfaction" results, along with such transferable skills as following directions and techniques to better concentrate and collaborate.

Maralyn Adlin is among the artists/art therapists who are part of the City Lights program.

"Working with the residents of Franklin House (a Bridgeport Housing Authority facility) has made me realize that there are interested and creative people in all strata of society, who, if given the opportunity, will pursue artistic expression," Adlin said. "It has given some of them a passion and interest they didn't know they could have. Now they fill hours outside of the main workshop drawing and painting. They have commented that it has added to the meaning of their lives and has become an activity to occupy otherwise lonely hours in their apartments."

Kelly Poole, an arts educator in the Bridgeport Public Schools and an art therapist who also works with City Lights, summed it up this way: "For me, there is nothing more rewarding than helping a child to find her voice without needing to rely on words. The process of creating art directly accesses the raw emotion and experience that so many of us need to express."

pasboros@ctpost.com; Twitter@PhyllisASBoros

If You Go

Housatonic Museum of Art's Community Gallery in Beacon Hall at Housatonic Community College, 900 Lafayette Blvd. The Art Therapy Exhibition runs through Friday, Aug. 22. A public reception for the artists takes place Thursday, July 31, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Free. Hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. www.HousatonicMuseum.org; 203-332-5052.